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2. Sci-Fi and Sky Night: A science-based night for families that includes telescope viewings (8-10 p.m.), planetarium shows (5:30, 6, 7:30, 8 and 8:30 p.m.) and a science fiction movie, which this week is Titan A.E., an animated fantasy with the voices of Matt Damon, Bill Pullman and Drew Barrymore, at 7:30 p.m. It's $3 per person Saturday at the Science Center of Pinellas County, 7701 22nd Ave. N, St. Petersburg. Call ahead to reserve a spot in the popular planetarium shows (727) 384-0027.

3. I Like It Hot Festival: Turn up the heat with fiery foods, searing sauces, salsas and more at the annual festival with a pepper eating contest (2 p.m. Sat.), amateur hot sauce competition (3 p.m. Sat.), a Hot Hula Hoop competition (1 p.m. Sun.), Lolly Lick-A-Thon (2 p.m. Sun.) and amateur salsa competition (3 p.m. Sun.). There are also pepper plants for sale and live music from hot local bands. It runs 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Minnreg Building, 6340 126th Ave. N, Largo. $5, kids 12 and under free. (727) 423-8433.

4. Pioneer Settlement Open House: Spend a day at Boyd Hill Nature Preserve's open house for its Pinellas Pioneer Settlement. Visitors can see renovations of the buildings, plus there will be crafts, hayrides and kids' games from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Free admission, at 1101 Country Club Way S, St. Petersburg. (727) 893-7326.

5. Houston, We Have Blast Off: Join the opening reception at 6 p.m. Friday for four space-themed exhibits at the Dunedin Fine Art Center. There will be live music, refreshments and an artists talk. Artists Hillerbrand and Magsamen talk about their "Beam Me Up"video and photograph exhibit, and artists from DFAC's Intergalactic exhibit discuss their work. "Intergalactic," "Beam Me Up," "My Favorite Martian" and "Blast Off" have staggered closing dates through Dec. 21. It's $5, members free, at 1143 Michigan Blvd. (727) 298-3322.